Happening Tuesday: Patton Oswalt, Guillermo del Toro and more

MOVIES

Guillermo del Toro The acclaimed Mexican-born filmmaker who brought his imaginative visions to life in such films as “Pan’s Labyrinth” and “Hellboy” joins Zócalo Public Square to discuss his work, his vision and why his monstrous images resonate so deeply. Rick Kleffel, host of the radio show “The Agony Column,” will moderate. ArcLight Hollywood, 6360 W. Sunset Blvd., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free, reservations recommended. https://www.zocalopublicsquare.org.

BOOKS

Tom Rachman The author of “The Imperfectionists” discusses his witty novel about the ragtag staff of an English language newspaper in Rome facing financial ruin with L.A. Times book blogger Carolyn Kellogg. Rachman, a former foreign correspondent for the Associated Press and Paris-based editor for the International Herald Tribune, has already seen his debut novel translated into five languages and selected as one of Amazon’s Top 10 Books of 2010. Mark Taper Auditorium, 630 W. 5th St., Downtown. 7 p.m. Free. Reservations required. (213) 228-7500. https://www.lfla.org.

Patton Oswalt The title of Oswalt’s new memoir “Zombie Spaceship Wasteland” suggests a bleak-humored mock sci-fi romp, but the actual emotional landscape of the book is of the isolation and fear of young adulthood. Oswalt, a beloved comedian who voiced Remy in “Ratatouille,” signs it here. Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Free. www.skylightbooks.com.

POP MUSIC

Tobacco When he’s not fronting the pysch outfit Black Moth Super Rainbow, the enigmatic musician Tobacco (a.k.a. Tom Fec) produces dark, stoned-out electronica with analog synths, hip-hop beats, and vocoders. Catch him live at Check Yo Ponytail 2 along with Royal Bangs, Nadastrom and Frankie Chan. Echoplex. 1154 Glendale Blvd. 9 p.m. $10. https://www.attheecho.com. (213) 413-8200.